Rafael Nadal says goodbye to tennis after more than 20 years of a career full of success. Review his greatest achievements and check the date on which he will play his last tournament as a professional.
After more than 20 years of a legendary career full of titles, the Spaniard Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from professional tenniscausing a great impact on fans and multiple reactions, such as that of his eternal rival, Roger Federerwho wrote him an emotional farewell message.
The best clay tennis player of all time published a video through his social networks, where he announced the decision that no sports fan wanted to hear. “Hello everyone, I am here to inform you that I am retiring from professional tennis“, he started saying.
In this context, he detailed the complex scenario that he has had to go through in recent times, which was plagued by injuries. “They have been some difficult years, these last two especially. I think I haven’t been able to play without limitations, It is a decision that is obviously difficult, that has taken me time to make, but in this life everything has a beginning and an end“said Rafael Nadal.
Considering the above, the Spaniard stated: “I think it is the right time to put an end to what has been a long and much more successful career “than I could have ever imagined.”
Rafael Nadal’s records
A career that comes to an end, after obtaining numerous records on the ATP circuit, where he also put his country at the top. In this sense, Nadal retires as the youngest male tennis player in history in getting the four Grand Slams and the gold medal in the Olympic Games, as the only athlete in history to be number one in three different decades (2000, 2010 and 2020) and as the second tennis player with the most Grand Slams (22).
Added to these milestones are:
- Record most seasons with at least one Grand Slam title (15).
- He won all four Grand Slams at least twice, which only Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and Novak Djokovic have achieved.
- The only player to win at least one Grand Slam for 10 consecutive seasons (2005–2014).
- It’s the player with most victories against a No. 1: He achieved it 23 times. There were 13 against Roger Federer and 10 against. Novak Djokovic.
- It has 92 titles: He is the tennis player with the most championships on clay (63).
- He is the tennis player with the most Roland Garros titles due to scandal: 14 consecrations in the “yard of his house”.
Their impressive numbers in Roland Garros:
- Champion four times without giving up sets (2008, 2010, 2017 and 2020).
- Most wins (112).
- Best win/loss average (96.55%): 112 wins and four losses.
- Most wins in a row (39).
Roger Federer’s emotional message to Rafael Nadal after announcing his retirement from tennis
One of those who did not take long to react was the former Swiss tennis player Roger Federer, who commented on Rafael Nadal’s publication and thanked him for the moments they shared on the court playing in the most important tournaments on the circuit.
“What a race, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and for all your incredible achievements in the sport we love. “It has been an absolute honor,” Federer stated.
With Nadal’s retirement, which joins that of Federer (September 2022), there is only one member of the Big 3 left in the activity: Novak Djokovic.
This is the last tournament that Rafael Nadal will play in his career
In the video he published on his social networks, Nadal announced what will be the last tournament he will play as a professional tennis player.
“I am very excited that my last tournament is the Davis Cup final and representing my country“I think it is closing the circle since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the final in Seville in 2004,” he said.
In the Davis Cup, Spain will face the Netherlands in the quarterfinals next November 19. If Nadal’s team advances to the round, they will face the winner of the key between Germany and Canada on November 22.
If he passes again successfully, he would play the final on November 24, where he could face Australia, United States, Argentina or Italy.